Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

High-resolution imaging and three-dimensional model of the feline spinal cord.

Frontiers in neuroanatomy·2026
Same author

Effect of a home-based calf neuromuscular electrical stimulation program on walking capacity in adults with lower-extremity PAD: the ELECTRO-PAD RCT.

European journal of preventive cardiology·2026
Same author

Speed-dependent locomotor adjustments following staggered thoracic lateral hemisections in adult cats.

Journal of neurophysiology·2025
Same author

Effects of spinal transection and locomotor speed on muscle synergies of the cat hindlimb.

The Journal of physiology·2025
Same author

Operation of spinal sensorimotor circuits controlling phase durations during tied-belt and split-belt locomotion after a lateral thoracic hemisection.

eLife·2025
Same author

Role of forelimb morphology in muscle sensorimotor functions during locomotion in the cat.

The Journal of physiology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Reversible Cooling-induced Deactivations to Study Cortical Contributions to Obstacle Memory in the Walking Cat
09:43

Reversible Cooling-induced Deactivations to Study Cortical Contributions to Obstacle Memory in the Walking Cat

Published on: December 11, 2017

7.4K

Shared and task-specific sensorimotor processing during forward and backward walking in intact adult cats.

Rasha Al Arab1, Jonathan Harnie1, Sirine Yassine1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.

Journal of Neurophysiology
|March 17, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Investigating forward and backward walking in cats, this study reveals shared neural circuits for locomotion control but also unique sensorimotor processing adaptations for backward movement.

Keywords:
backward walkingcutaneous reflexesforward walkinglocomotionsensorimotor processing

More Related Videos

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion
08:19

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

9.4K
Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects
10:19

Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects

Published on: April 13, 2011

13.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Reversible Cooling-induced Deactivations to Study Cortical Contributions to Obstacle Memory in the Walking Cat
09:43

Reversible Cooling-induced Deactivations to Study Cortical Contributions to Obstacle Memory in the Walking Cat

Published on: December 11, 2017

7.4K
Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion
08:19

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

9.4K
Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects
10:19

Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects

Published on: April 13, 2011

13.3K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomechanics
  • Locomotion Studies

Background:

  • Neural and biomechanical mechanisms of directional changes in locomotion are not fully understood.
  • Sensorimotor processing during gait transitions requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate neural and biomechanical control differences between forward (FW) and backward (BW) locomotion.
  • To probe sensorimotor processing using cutaneous reflexes during hindlimb-only walking.

Main Methods:

  • Electromyography (EMG) recorded from six hindlimb muscles in cats during treadmill locomotion.
  • Cutaneous reflexes evoked by superficial peroneal (SP) nerve stimulation during FW and BW.
  • Analysis of cycle/phase durations, muscle activity, and reflex responses.

Main Results:

  • Backward walking (BW) alters EMG timing and increases hip extensor muscle activity.
  • Superficial peroneal (SP) nerve stimulation evoked phase-modulated reflex responses in both FW and BW.
  • Direction-specific inhibitory reflexes observed in extensor muscles during BW.

Conclusions:

  • Shared neural circuits likely underpin both forward and backward locomotion.
  • Evidence suggests specialized sensorimotor circuits contribute to direction-specific gait control.
  • Findings advance understanding of neural control for complex movements.